For me, it depends on the game. If I'm playing casual games like Bejeweled, or other Facebook games, then no. I actually keep the sound off on purpose as some run ads in between moves. If I am playing a more involved game, like World of Warcraft, then absolutely. Hearing what's going on in the game is critical.

No, I only use a laptop, so I don't need speakers. I think my husband had them though, when he used his computer, that hasn't worked for a couple of years now. (I'll be giving him my laptop, when I buy my 1" smaller/lighter weight pink Apple 1. It will be a lot easier to cart down to Melbourne, when we visit.)

Correction: 11" NOT a 1" of cause!! We're buying it next week, to take on our cruise, as were are now entitled to 250 minutes of free wifi on Princess. We've never bothered taking a laptop on a cruise before, because we'd just find an internet place when we went ashore. Hopefully we'll be able to use the laptop on our balcony, but as usual, I'm WAY of the subject of the question. Sorry!